Yatdjuligin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nursing and Midwifery Care

This chapter focuses on the different health needs and outcomes of Indigenous children and their families. It begins by discussing the national policies aimed at improving Indigenous child health, including the National Framework for Health Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families, and by considering the cultural and social considerations when providing healthcare to Indigenous children. The gap between mortality and morbidity rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and non-Indigenous children is established as the authors call for nurses and midwives to understand the stories behind these statistics, before considering the programs and initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes of Indigenous children. The chapter discusses ways to promote health, and considers common health issues experienced by Indigenous children, including poor nutrition, oral and ear health, and infections. The chapter provides concrete ways in which nurses and midwives can care for Indigenous children and also discusses examples of community programs working to reduce the rate of accidents and self-harm in Indigenous children.